The 2004 VMAs had no host, meaning the last comedian to host was Chris Rock in 2003, a show that featured Black mocking Michael Jackson's "Artist of the Millennium" acceptance speech (see [article id="1457258"]"Christina Strips, Britney Goes Biker, Pink Shows Off Tats On VMA Red Carpet"[/article]). Black also performed at the 2000 VMAs with his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass.

"My plan is to bring the thunder," Black said in a statement. "I've got my top men working on it as we speak, in my thunder laboratory. Radio City Music Hall will never be the same."

The 2006 VMAs will be broadcast from New York's Radio City Music Hall on August 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (see [article id="1537437"]"Shakira, Chili Peppers, Madonna, Panic! Lead List Of Nominees For MTV Video Music Awards"[/article]).

Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, the Killers, Panic! at the Disco and T.I. are the first artists set to perform. Additional names will be announced in the coming weeks.

Black starred in "Nacho Libre" this summer and will return to theaters November 17 in "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny."